Chief Academic Officer at University of Arkansas Stepping Down, Returning Full-Time to Faculty

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Bob Smith, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Arkansas, has announced his intention to resign his position effective June 30, 2008.

Smith, who has served as provost since July 1, 2000, will join full-time the department of chemistry and biochemistry where he is a tenured professor.

“I have been most fortunate to work with a partner like Bob Smith these past eight years,” said University of Arkansas Chancellor John A. White. “The transformation of this university would not have been possible without his hand on the tiller of the flagship. He guided the 2010 Commission, helped revitalize the University of Arkansas Press, dramatically increased external funding for research, recruited outstanding deans for our schools and colleges and enabled the university enrollment to grow while improving both our diversity and the overall quality of our student body. These are just a few of the accomplishments during his time as provost.”

Smith said he is pleased with the university’s progress in the past eight years.

“One of Chancellor White’s goals was to raise the profile, contributions and prestige of the University of Arkansas,” said Smith. “I feel a strong sense of satisfaction over having been a small part of the effort during this transformational period in the university’s history. The academic community here has done much to advance our flagship research university, which should be a source of pride for our state and its citizens.”

Besides his administrative achievements, Smith is well known on campus for his quarterly online journal, All Things Academic and his penchant for colorful “themed” neckties. He has written eight books, the most recent being Where You Stand is Where You Sit: An Academic Administrator's Handbook, published by the University of Arkansas Press in 2006.

“As rewarding as my time as provost has been, I am truly looking forward to engaging in teaching, research and service full-time again,” said Smith. “With the university entering a leadership transition period, the timing seemed most opportune for me to get back to my disciplinary roots. There are unique opportunities for me in the department of chemistry and biochemistry — working with students, serving as a mentor for new faculty members, and contributing to research and scholarly endeavors. I’m excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.”

Smith earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in pharmaceutical chemistry from the University of Michigan, and taught medicinal chemistry at the University of Iowa. He served as director of the Drug Dynamics Institute and James E. Bauerle Professor at the University of Texas at Austin before being appointed dean of the College of Pharmacy at Washington State University. He also served for more than 10 years as vice provost for research and dean of the graduate school at Washington State. Before coming to the University of Arkansas, Smith held the position of vice provost for research and graduate education and dean of the graduate school at the University of Connecticut.

Smith is a native of New York. His research and scholarly interests have been in the pharmaceutical sciences, communication, professional development and university administration.